Negation in Modern Standard Arabic: How to Say "Not"

Fusha has a different word for "not" for each tense, plus laysa for sentences without a verb.

The negatives at a glance

lam with the jussive is the standard way to negate the past. Notice that it uses a present form to talk about the past.

• لا أعرفُlaa a3rifuI don't know.
• لم يأتِ أحدٌlam ya2ti a7adunNobody came.
• لن أنسىlan ansaaI won't forget.

laysa: "is not"

laysa conjugates like a past verb, and its description takes the accusative (-an):

• لستُ متعباًlastu muta3abanI'm not tired.
• هذا ليس بيتيhaadha laysa baytiiThis isn't my house.

Negative commands

Use laa + the jussive:

• لا تقلقْlaa taqlaqDon't worry. (to a man)
• لا تقلقيlaa taqlaqiiDon't worry. (to a woman)

"There is no…"

• لا مشكلةَlaa mushkilataThere's no problem.
• ليس عندي وقتٌlaysa 3indii waqtunI don't have time.